Is the hadith “Be the slain servant of Allah, not the slayer servant of Allah” authentic, and to whom did the Messenger say it, and on what occasion, and what is its meaning, and what can be deduced from it, and can its ruling be applied at all times?

Summary of the Fatwa:

The aforementioned Hadith warns against tribulations (fitan) and encourages avoiding them. Its meaning highlights the grave danger of tribulation and urges avoidance and flight from it. Nevertheless, scholars have differed on the stance a Muslim should take when tribulations occur. The majority holds that it is obligatory to support the truth and fight against aggressors, considering this to be the correct view. They interpreted the Hadiths concerning abstaining from fighting as referring to tribulations in which the rightful party cannot be distinguished from the wrongful.

Another group, however, maintained the obligation of refraining from fighting during tribulations, even if it leads to death, interpreting the Hadiths according to this meaning.

Some scholars adopted a detailed approach, stating that if the fighting is between two factions that have no legitimate leader (imam), then fighting is prohibited. Similarly, if the matter is ambiguous to a Muslim, making it impossible to distinguish right from wrong, then he should refrain from fighting.

The fatwa emphasized that the Hadiths regarding abstaining from fighting during tribulations may apply to specific situations, and that the fundamental principle is the obligation to support the oppressed and repel the oppressor, because abstaining from this would lead to the spread of corruption and the prolonged dominance of the rebellious.